‘Maintain social distancing to fight Covid-19’

Benazir Ahmed, the outgoing Director General (DG) of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has urged the people of the country to strictly follow the prime minister's 31-point guideline to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the country.

"Stay where you're staying," the outgoing Rab DG said in a videoconference on Monday afternoon from the Rab headquarters at Uttara in the capital. 

He said there is no scope to consider the government-announced countrywide general holidays as a vacation, picnic or an opportunity to gossip at tea stalls.

About the distribution of relief, Benazir Ahmed called upon individuals and organisations to provide relief material to the doorsteps of needy people by strictly maintaining social distancing. 

"Take the relief to the houses of people who need it. You have to maintain social distancing strictly while conducting any relief activity," said Benazir. 

He also urged garment factory workers not to gather to press for arrears pay in this situation. 

Now, the sense of responsibility and awareness of citizens are more important than enforcing laws, he said.

About the allegation of misappropriation of relief and Open Market Sale (OMS) of goods, Benazir said, "Exemplary punishment will be given to those who are found to be involved in irregularities."

When his attention was drawn to the robbery in two medicine shops, Benazir said many people have become jobless in the countrywide shutdown which may create some social problems as well.

"As medicine shops have been allowed to remain open round the clock, these may become the target of miscreants. But the criminals who were involved in the two incidents have already been arrested," he added.  

Notably, the government-appointed Benazir Ahmed as the Inspector General of Police (IGP) on April 7. He is expected to take over as IGP on April 15.